Author's Notes: It's so strange, when I come across Wilkes with another first name. He's always been Ian to me. At least Evan Rosier's full name was in the books. Wilkes…he just had the last name. I've always liked Ian, I just think it fits him. In my opinion at least. Anyway, this has turned into a little series. Hope you enjoy!

Much Ado About Romance

Chapter Two

"He can't be here!" Ian Wilkes thrust his finger accusingly at Regulus.

"Yes he can," Evan said, sitting down in a chair across from Ian.

"No! No outsiders allowed! We have rules!"

"He's not an outsider," Evan explained, as he ran a hand through his copper colored hair, "he's Severus' boyfriend."

"Boyfriend's aren't allowed. He's a spy!"

"He's not a spy," Severus finally spoke up, rolling his eyes. "And this is a study group, Ian. What's he going to find out? How to properly turn a fig into a pear? The horrors."

"Might end up being planning." Ian glowered over his transfiguration text. "You never know…"

"He's here, he's not going to hurt anything." Evan plopped his own books down on the table, and Severus really wanted to sink into the floor. He hadn't realized that in Regulus' mind, 'dating' meant 'tagging along everywhere'.

They studied in silence, Severus trying very hard to ignore his 'boyfriend'. He hated that term, he really did. Regulus was just…his snogging partner, that was all.

"Damn!" Severus slammed his book shut. "I left that copy of 'Magical Theory' I got out of the library *in* the library. I have to go grab it…"

"I'll come!" Regulus said, immediately.

"No, thank you." He'd be able to get it much quicker *without* Reg pulling him into alcoves and broom closets and various other semi-private spots. He needed to learn that snogging took place in the dorm, and no where else! Anywhere else was dangerous.

Severus bolted out of the common room, and headed up to the library. In hind sight he *really* should have been paying more attention. He didn't notice the foot that was thrust in front of him until he was flat on his face on the floor.

"I'd watch where I was going, if I were you, Snivellus."

"Well thank Merlin you're *not* me, or I'd have to kill myself," Severus snapped, pushing himself up. Merlin, how he hated Black.

"That's the best you can do?" Black laughed. Good lord, was the man *posing*? He was leaning against the wall, arms crossed over his chest. //Regulus is far better looking then him…//

"I'm in a hurry Black."

"Oh, running off to your little boyfriend?" The last word was said in a high, sing-song voice. "I heard all about that…I always figured you for a little queer"

"You'd heard?" Funny, Severus expected some sort of explosive reaction.

"News travels fast. So who's the poor deluded poof you're boffing?"

"Your brother."

Well, it had seemed like a good idea to casually mention that. Not when he was pinned to the floor, Black the Older gripping his robes so tightly near the neck that he couldn't breathe.

"You fucking bastard!" Black snarled, his face contorted in rage. "if I find out there's *any* truth to that, you're a dead man!"

"Why?" Severus choked out, prying Black's hands off of him. "The way I hear it, you essentially abandoned all things Black. Reg can do what he wants. And that happens to be me."

Again, a very poor choice of words. Severus reflected on this as his head was slammed hard against the cold stone floor.

"Stay the fuck away from my little brother!" Black yelled. Severus kicked upwards, trying to dislodge the larger boy. At this point he heard adult voices, and Black was hauled off of him. Severus had never been so happy to see old lady Mcgonagall in his life. There was no way he could get in trouble for this.

"I am ashamed of you!" The Gryffindor head of House was saying. "Mr. Snape, are you all right?"

"Yes…" Was that blood on his neck? "Maybe…" he felt a bit dizzy.

"Oh good lord! To the hospital wing with you, now!" Well, obviously he was bleeding. Wonderful. And he had a quiz tomorrow. But he had little choice. He nodded, and head off in the direction of the hospital wing.

***

Regulus showed up an hour later. Severus figured he'd be there. He was the last person he wanted to see, really.

"I heard what happened," Reg said, sitting on the bed.

"Madame Pomphrey let you in?"

"I told her I was your boyfriend, she said I could see you for a few minutes."

The whole bloody school was going to know, wonderful. Severus groaned, and just nodded. Why had he started seeing Reg again? Ah yes, he was an amazing kisser.

"Are you okay?"

"I'll be fine," Severus said. "Just a bad blow to the head, is all."

"I can't believe he did that!"

"You can't?"

"Well…all right, I can," Regulus amended. "He's such a jerk. I wish he'd just die, I really do."

"That makes two of us," Severus said, scooting over on the bed to give Regulus more room.

"It's none of his damn business if we're together."

"No, it isn't, but he's an arse and he's going to shove his nose into it." Severus sighed. He had spent seven years being brutalized by Sirius Black, nothing was going to change now.

"I'd talk to him, but it wouldn't do any good."

"Of course it wouldn't." It would probably get Regulus' arse kicked as well. Black had never seemed too fond of his younger brother, despite his sudden crusade for his morality.

"I'm sorry."

"Don't be." Severus shook his head. It was oddly touching to him, that Regulus was taking the blame for what had happened. "If it weren't you, there'd be something else. He's always looking for an excuse."

"You won't have to deal with him once the year is over."

"I know."

"Hang in there, huh?" Reg ran his fingers along Severus' cheek. That was…sweet. Regulus was rather sweet.

"I'll be fine. I'll be back on my feet tomorrow."

"Evan and Ian are going to get him back for you."

"They always do," Severus said with a fond grin. He could always count on those two to have his back. They'd make Black pay, and they'd make him pay well.

"It's gonna be lonely without you tonight…"

"You'll get by," Severus said, dryly.

"It'll be hard…" Regulus leaned down, brushing his lips against Severus'.

"Mmm. Not here."

"You never want to do it *anywhere*."

"Anywhere where we can get caught, no," Severus said, though Regulus' lips on his were *very* insistent. "Madame Pomphrey's here. She could come here any minute. I'll make it up to you tomorrow night."

"Fine." Regulus pulled away, and brushed a bit of Severus' hair out of his eyes. "I'll hold you to that…"

"Yes, yes." Severus batted his hand away. "Good night, Reg."

"Good night Sev."

"Don't call me that. Only Evan can call me that."

"Fine." Regulus kissed him once more. "Good night Severus. And take it easy."

"I will. Go!" Merlin, he could be so persistent! It wasn't appealing, it was annoying. Highly annoying. Regulus nodded, ran his fingers over Severus' cheek once more, and slipped out of the infirmary.

Severus decided to spend the rest of the night trying to figure out just *how* he'd make this up to Reg. And how he was going to get his *own* revenge on Black. Whatever it was, it was going to be good.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~